► About Henna (Mehndi) ◄

Henna comes from a plant of the privet family. Henna has been known for centuries for its medicinal properties, as a cosmetic, its use in body art and its superb hair conditioning and coloring properties.

Henna is the Persian name that is now used in many languages to describe a the small flowering shrub (Lawsonia inermis). The Henna plant is found in many parts of the world including Australia, the Mediterranean, Africa and also in Southern United States. There are many varieties of the henna plant grown in different regions that result in different coloring properties and different colors of powder.

Pure natural henna powder can be bright to deep green, khaki or brown. Natural pure henna powders renders stains that are orange, red, burgundy, cinnamon, bittersweet chocolate brown, burgundy-black, black cherry and near black colors. BLACK stains are not produced by pure and natural henna powder. Learn more about "Black Henna" and what it can do to you.

Powder from the henna plant can be fine or coarse. Stains from henna powder made into paste are the result of the dye in the henna powder releasing when added to water or lemon juice and then applied to the skin or hair.

► After Care: How to Maintain Your New Henna / Mehndi:

Once you have removed the dry henna paste you will see an orange-yellow stain left on your skin. The stain will deepen into a richer reddish-brown tone over the next 48 hours. The final color will depend your skin and body chemistry with darker colors appearing on the hands and feet. You should try to avoid contact with water as much as possible during the first 24 hours after paste removal as water can interrupt the oxidization and darkening processes of your henna stain.

► These simple steps will protect your design and help it to look its best:

► Rub your henna/mehndi with a henna balm or a natural vegetable oil before bathing or swimming to protect it from water. Corn, canola, or olive oil all work well. Avoid using any petroleum products such as baby oil or Vaseline as they will contribute to the demise of your stain.
► Avoid excess rubbing of the area. Keep in mind that frequent washing, soaps, petroleum products (sunscreen, Vaseline, baby oil) and the rubbing of clothing and shoes on the design will cause your henna design to fade more quickly.
► Avoid shaving over your henna/mehndi stain. Shaving removes layers of skin so you may want to shave around your mehndi or henna stain to keep it looking its best.

► How to Remove the Henna Stain:

There is no way to remove this stain, it must simply wear away. The henna dye molecule soaks into and stains the top layers of your skin cells. Everyday new skin cells move to the surface replacing older cells including those that are stained with your henna design. Unfortunately, you must wait for your bodies natural processes and normal wear and tear on your design for it to fade completely.

There are things you can do to speed along the demise of a henna stain. These include soaking in the shower or bath, and scrubbing or exfoliating the skin. Chlorine can help to remove the stain as well so a dip in the pool may speed up the fading process.

► FYI: The henna I use, contains no artificial colors or toxic chemicals it is made of 100% natural Lawsonia Inermis Linn henna leaves, ground into powder, fresh squeezed lemon juice and an oil that is a cold pressed, certified for cosmetic soap grade eucalyptus oil blend. All ingredients are FDA approved ingredients, and this blend is the finest all natural henna tattoo paste available today.

For more information on Henna and Mehndi, please take a moment to visit the best and single most comprehensive henna sites sites available: The Henna Page